The Paris Eagles battled both their conference opponents and rainy weather conditions last week to finish fourth in the 3A-4 district tournament and qualify for the 3A Region 1 Tournament in Harrison. At press time for this story, Paris had just completed play in the district tournament and was looking forward to resting their starting pitching and getting ready for this week’s regional tournament.
The district tournament, hosted by Cossatot River High School, was moved up to start early last week due to the impending weather forecast that predicted rain for much of the week. On Monday, the weather was sunny and windy, but the playing surfaces were dry.
Rain moved into the Cossatot area on Tuesday along with temperatures in the mid to low 50s. Paris and Cossatot River completed their softball game with Cossatot River defeating Paris and earning a berth in the regional tournament. Danville came from behind to soundly defeat Subiaco Academy in a steady downpour that saw the field quickly become unplayable. Games were stopped after the Danville game and moved to Fort Smith’s Hunt’s Park on Wednesday.
Playing on artificial surfaces, teams played in light rain, but were able to avoid muddy fields that did not drain. The Paris baseball team, who traveled to Cossatot River on Tuesday only to see their game cancelled and to return home, played Hackett in Fort Smith on Wednesday. Paris defeated Hackett in an extra-inning marathon to advance to the semifinals. The win over Hackett gave Paris a berth in the regional tournament.
But on Thursday and Friday, Paris lost in late innings twice, first to Charleston and then to Booneville on Friday in the third seed consolation game. In the second game of the day last Friday, Charleston defeated Danville to win the 3A-4 district tournament championship.
As a result of the games played in the 3A-4 baseball tournament, the Charleston Tigers, having defeated Danville last Friday afternoon, will go to the Region 1 Tournament as the top seed from the 3A-4 conference. The district tournament’s runner-up, Danville, will go as the number two seed. Booneville, having defeated Paris in the consolation game, will go to the regionals as the number three seed, and Paris will go as the four seed.
RNN Sports will be in Harrison on Thursday of this week to bring you coverage of the Eagles in the regional tournament. Good luck to all of the regional teams as they play for a berth in the 3A state tournament next week that will be held at Lincoln High School.
Stay with RNN Sports for the latest in high school baseball postseason coverage!
